Reds can’t Phil their boots on Coutinho return
Liverpool pay price at both ends
JURGEN KLOPP lamented the defensive lapses that spoiled Liverpool’s return to the Champions League groups.
If the Reds’ kamikaze defending was once again a weakness then their finishing wasn’t good either.
Klopp’s side only had two goals to show from 24 attempts on a night Philippe Coutinho made his long-awaited Anfield return.
A Dejan Lovren mistake had allowed Wissam Ben Yedder to score five minutes in before Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah had them two up at half-time.
But Klopp’s men continued to squander chances, including a Firmino first-half penalty that struck the post, as their defence nodded off to let Joaquin Correa level with 18 minutes left.
The Liverpool boss, who saw defender Joe Gomez sent off in stoppage time for a second yellow, said: “For 85, 86 minutes it was a winning performance.
“We had answers for pretty much everything apart from the goals. I have to see them again.
“I was looking for someone to show me them but I couldn’t find anybody. They were the two not so good things but pretty much the rest was good.
“I’m not sure if frustrated is the word – but it’s not cool. It’s not what we wanted. I don’t think it’s what we deserved.”
Sevilla’s second saw Klopp throw Coutinho in for his first appearance of the season after the long-running saga of his failed bid to secure a move to Barcelona.
The Brazilian received a warm reception but was unable to inspire his side to victory in a repeat of the 2016 Europa League Final that Sevilla won.
However, Klopp insists the Reds can threaten on their return to the Champions League after an absence of almost three years.
He said: “They had two chances, no more, so we were the dominant side and defended well.
“We are good in the counter attack and it was an unlucky start. Things like this can happen but reaction is the important thing.
“We could have scored more often but if we continue playing like this, we will get points. In this moment it does not feel perfect.”
There seemed no danger as Lovren shaped to clear a Sergio Escudero cross but he took his eye off the ball and allowed it to creep through for Yedder to tap in.
The response at least suggested this team have desire because after spurning so many chances they swept level on 21 minutes when Alberto Moreno and Jordan Henderson combined brilliantly to allow the full-back to cross for Firmino to roll the ball in.
When the lead came, it did so fortuitously – though Klopp will claim they deserved some luck.
Salah may have fouled Gabriel Mercado when he stole the ball then saw it spin off Simon Kjaer to deceive the stranded keeper Sergio Rico and loop comically into the net. But Liverpool paid for their poor finishing as Correra produced a brilliant finish.
Klopp was involved in a heated discussion with the Spanish club’s backroom staff at the full-time whistle with manager Eduardo Berizzo already sent to the stands for throwing the ball away.
But the German said: “They invited me into the dressing room – 100 per cent no problem.”